Patterns of Caregiving Among Patients Hospitalized With Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Among CVD patients, 13% planned to have a paid caregiver and 51% a nonpaid caregiver at discharge. Planned paid caregiving was more prevalent among racial/ethnic minority versus white patients (odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.8); planned nonpaid caregiving prevalence did not differ by race/ethnicity. Most nonpaid caregivers were female (78%). Patients who had nonpaid caregivers in the year prior to hospitalization (28%) reported grocery shopping/meal preparation (32%), transport to/arranging doctor visits (30%), and medication adherence/medical needs (25%) as top tasks caregivers assisted with. Following hospitalization, a majority of patients expect nonpaid caregivers, primarily women, to assist with tasks that have the potential to improve CVD outcomes such as medical follow-up, medication adherence, and nutrition, suggesting that these are important targets for caregiver education.